Early on Aug. 2, the Senate approved President Trump’s nomination of Marvin Kaplan to fill a vacant seat on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Senate approved Kaplan on a close 50-48 vote, which, unsurprisingly, was split along party lines. Kaplan’s confirmation puts the Board closer to attaining what would be the first Republican-led majority in nearly a decade.

Kaplan’s confirmation is welcome news to his supporters, who are eager to see several reforms of Obama-era regulations that, in their view, favor the interests of organized labor over employers.

As noted previously in this blog, should both Kaplan and Trump’s other pick, William Emmanuel, be confirmed, they would join the Board’s current chairman, Republican Phillip Miscimarra, and give the oard the first Republican majority since early in the Obama administration. A Republican-majority Board would likely give a critical look to previous NLRB determinations regarding, among other important rulings, the definition of joint employer status and union election rules.

It is not all sunshine and roses yet, though. The nomination of Emanuel, Trump’s pick for the final open seat on the Board, remains pending. The Senate will now vote on Emanuel’s nomination after its August recess, meaning that such a vote is unlikely until September of this year. In the meantime, the NLRB will have an even split of Republican and Democrat members on the board.

Steve L. Hernández is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Barnes & Thornburg. A member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Department, Mr. Hernández focuses his practice on traditional labor and employment law. Mr. Hernández has extensive experience litigating class action matters.

Mr. Hernández also brings four years of experience as an attorney with Region 21 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to his practice. While at the NLRB, Mr. Hernández investigated unfair labor practice, litigated unfair labor practice complaints, conducted union representation...

Minal Khan is a staff attorney in Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s Los Angeles office. As a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Department, Ms. Khan focuses her practice on wage and hour litigation, employment discrimination, contracts, and business associations.

Ms. Khan has experience representing employers in disability discrimination and wrongful termination disputes. She has also represented indigent clients in unemployment hearings, drafted briefs and argued hearings. In addition, she has drafted memoranda on new wage and hour laws, paid sick leave and vacation policies.

You are responsible for reading, understanding and agreeing to the National Law Review's (NLR’s) and the National Law Forum LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the National Law Review website. The National Law Review is a free to use, no-log in database of legal and business articles. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.com are intended for general information purposes only. Any legal analysis, legislative updates or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. If you require legal or professional advice, kindly contact an attorney or other suitable professional advisor.

Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and advertisement practices by attorneys and/or other professionals. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us.

Under certain state laws the following statements may be required on this website and we have included them in order to be in full compliance with these rules. The choice of a lawyer or other professional is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising Notice: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Unless otherwise noted, attorneys are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, nor can NLR attest to the accuracy of any notation of Legal Specialization or other Professional Credentials.

The National Law Review - National Law Forum LLC 4700 Gilbert Ave. Suite 47 #230 Western Springs, IL 60558 Telephone (708) 357-3317 If you would ike to contact us via email please click here.